Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

Stewardship


Mariam Hency Varghese
MTC of South Florida
10 Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.
 

The word “steward” is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as, “a person whose job is to manage the land and property of another person.” Stewards can also be called “overseers.”  A steward can oversee people as well as property.  In verse 10, Peter describes faithful stewardship of God’s grace. Are you a faithful steward of your spiritual gifts(s)? Are you aware that you have a spiritual gift(s)? Do you know why you have been given a spiritual gift(s)? 

The passage begins with a warning about the end times. Peter calls Christians to be alert and sober minded so that we may pray in the end times. However, Peter directs us further to love each other deeply because love covers a multitude of sins. Christians are called to love each other.  We are to love, but we cannot love without the Holy Spirit.  Romans 5:5 says,  “And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” We need the Holy Spirit to love one another and offer hospitality without grumbling. Love covers the sin or offense, which brings the community together. When we love, we follow it up with hospitality, which is opening our homes and our lives to others without complaining. This is a command to make oneself available for others.  

Peter next says that each of us should use our gifts to serve others as a good steward of God’s grace. Each of us has been given a gift; do not doubt. You have a gift that serves others. When we understand that gifts are given, those gifts must be received. We must also understand that our gifts are for others and not for ourselves. Gifts are a manifestation of God’s grace, and are for the edification of the Body of Christ.  Each one of us is accountable before God for faithful stewardship of our lives in Jesus Christ with our spiritual gifts, time, and effort - the works of our hands.  


PRAYER


Lord, we thank you for the gifts that you have given us.  Teach us how to be a faithful stewards of the gifts that were given to us so others many know of your grace.  Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Lord, I thank you for the gifts that you have given me.  Teach me how to be a faithful steward of the gifts that were given to me so others many know of your grace. 

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